Garment supporter



GARMENT SUPPORTER Filed- July 3l, 1955 ilm Patented May 5, 1936 UNITED STAT-ES PATENT OFFICE I 2,040,046 GARMENT sUPPoRTER Walter D. Groesbeek, Ballston, Va. Application July 31, 1935, Serial No. 34,096

6 Claims. .(Cl. 241-12) My invention relates to garmentesup'ports, and has for its main object the provision of a resilient girdle, or belt, which will hold all clothing a limited distance away'from the waist of the wearer; so as to permit circulation of air about the body and beneath all body garments, and prevent almost wholly the saturation of such garments by perspiration, during hot weather; thereby greatly increasing the comfort and promotingv the health of the wearer. Other advantages will be apparent, from the standpoints of hygiene and economy, as the description proceeds.

Atrpresent, especially in the clothing of men and boys, both upper and nether garments are f' belted closely about the waist, in all seasons. In

fact, in summer,v braces or Suspenders are less frequently worn than in cooler weather; necessitating even closer constriction by a belt of not only trousers but allother garments about the body, just above the wearers hips. This is uncomfortable and illogical, in that it interferes with free breathing, constricts the abdominal viscera and prevents evaporation of perspiration; thereby irritating the wearer and interfering with free bodily movements.

I obviate these disadvantages by the structure shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Fig. l is a general perspective View of the resilient girdle, with suspending webs;

Fig. 2 is a like perspective of the device, showing the manner of suspending outer garments therefrom;

Fig. 3 shows one manner of adjustably joining the front ends of the girdle;

Fig. 4 is another optional manner of joining said ends, and

Fig. 5 is a section, on an enlarged scale, along the line V-V of Fig. 2, showing-one form of protecting fabric covering the somewhat rigid but resilient core of the girdle.

This belt, zone or girdle Ii), may be of any suitable resilient, non-corrosive material; such as pyraline, properly tempered Monel metal, stainless steel, or the like; although I do not limit myself to any specific material; since it is evident that many materials possess the necessary qualities of strength, elasticity and freedom from corrosion. In practice, I have used a non-metal; but it is probable that many metals or alloys will be found suitable and well adapted to hold the accessory parts for suspension.

At the overlapping ends I I of the girdle, I6 and I8 show suitable adjustable fastenings therefor; I6 showing side-slotted holes in one end for reng the heads and shanks of studs provided at the other end thereof. By providing a pair of studs and a series of equally spaced holes, allV necessary adjustment is secured. Like otherarticles of wearing apparel, the girdle will 'necessarily be made in several sizes,l and when properly selected will need little, if any, further adjustment. It should be elliptical in shape, conforming generally to the waist contour of the wearer, and from two to three inches (exclusive of lap) longer than his normal waist-measure.

In Fig. 4, I8 shows conventionally one of the well-known forms of grip buckles, familiar in belt and brace fastenin'gs of mens wear. .Any suitable type may be used.

At least four equally-spaced, long-shank buttons I 2, are securely fastened in the girdle, and suspending webs or tapes I3, of washable and preferably non-elastic material, may suspend the girdle from the shoulders of the wearer. vThese suspending tapes may also be adjustable as to length; although that is not essential, once the girdle is fitted at the proper height on the wearers body. The four buttons have been found to be satisfactory and suiiicient to support the girdle and all garments attached thereto.

At I'I, Figs. 3-5, is shown a tubular knitted fabric enveloping the girdle from end to end. By closing one end of this tube and providing properly spaced button-holes in one side thereof, it may easily be slipped upon the girdle from end to end, after which the button-holes are passed over the spaced buttons and the tube remains in place, though readily removable. Preferably, the open end of the tube is pulled over the other end of the girdle and passed through the grip buckle, where it will be securely held. Provision should be made, near the closed end of the tube, for exposing the grip portion of the buckle.

As shown in Fig. 5, the elasticity of the fabric will tend to hold it slightly away from the inside of the girdle, so that it makes a very soft and yielding contact with the person of the wearer when any movement presses the girdle toward the body. However, a woven fabric may be used, if preferred, and will t the girdle more closely inside.

Of course, the reason for the removable tube and the non-elastic supporting webs is to provide for ready laundering of the same; since, preferably, they are in direct contact with the person of the wearer.

By making the girdle conform to the contour of the wearers waist, but two or three inches longer than the normal waist-measure, it will remain practically constantly about three-eighths inch to one-half inch from the body, on all sides, and also hold all garments at substantially that distance from contact. The result is that air circulates readily between the body and the clothing, cooling the body surface directly and comfortably, preventing saturation of the clothing by perspiration and permitting great freedom of movement in all body activity. Nor is the increase in girth especially noticeable; while personal comfort, on sweltering days, is enhanced and general health promoted.

The garments shown in Fig. 2 are all obtainable in the present markets and adapted for use with this type of garment support merely by the addition of a few button-holes. I have shown, for example, a sports shirt I4 of knitted fabric with a so-called zipper neck-closure, and a pair of shorts I5; a desirable suit for vacation Wear. By substituting slacks for the shorts, and a shirt of suitable fabric, but without closed collar and tie, a comfortable Warm Weather dress, entirely suitable for ofiice and street wear, is available. And by omitting the webbed supports, the girdle may also be attached inside the waists of unionalls, for the comfort of mechanics and other workers, in hot and humid weather.

It is altogether preferable not to wear any type of underwear beneath this garment support. It is much more comfortable than any such wear, in direct contact with the person, and it so greatly aids direct evaporation of perspiration that underwear, which is usually worn only to absorb such perspiration, is entirely unnecessary.

Other modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art; and I therefore impose no limitations upon the scope of this invention, except as expressed in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A garment-support comprising a girdle of inextensible, resilient material of a length substantially greater than the periphery of the wearers Waist, and having means for joining the ends thereof and for supporting it out of contact with the Wearers body.

2. A garment support Vcomprising a girdle of resilient material, of a length substantially in excess of the periphery of, and adapted to retain garments out of contact with the waist of the wearer. y

3. A garment support comprising a girdle of resilient material of a. length substantially greater than the periphery of the wearers waist, and provided with means for supporting outer garments therefrom out of contact with the waist of the wearer.

4. A garment support comprising a girdle of resilient material and provided with means for supporting outer garments therefrom, in combination with a removable, washable fabric covering and removable, washable, supporting-webs.

5. A garment support, comprising an adjustable, resilient girdle provided with means for' supporting garments therefrom, and of a length sufficient to hold said garments substantially out of contact with the waist of the wearer, in combination with adjustable and removable means for supporting the girdle from the shoulders of the wearer.

6. A garment support comprising an adjustable girdle of resilient material provided with means for supporting outer garments therefrom substantially out of contact with the waist cf the wearer, in combination with a removable fabric covering and adjustable and removable means for supporting said girdle from the shoulders of the wearer.

WALTER D. GROESBECK. 

